Contrary to the expectation, the High Peace Council's Islamabad visit has resulted in significant progress regarding the efforts for peace talks and Pakistan's cooperation. HPC Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani on Tuesday.
Islamabad has announced to release ten Taliban leaders in detention to support the reconciliation process. It is a positive development showing genuine willingness for the vital role Pakistan can play in Afghanistan's reconciliation efforts for a negotiated end to the Taliban insurgency.
President Karzai had been demanding Islamabad to give Kabul access to the detained Taliban leadership for talks. And the latest gesture shows serious willingness for the first time on that end, since talks had been cancelled last year.
Though there had been reiterated pledges of support for the Afghan reconciliation process from both civilian and military leadership in Islamabad, the latest development is a breakthrough for hopeful progress. However, mutual steps are needed to be taken. Reportedly, Taliban's second-in-command Mullah Baradar is not among those to be released. Former Taliban justice minister Mullah Turabi and some intelligence officials are among the group of ten.
It could be a game-changer for the doom predictions and post-2014 scenarios given the realization of Pakistan that a peaceful end to the conflict in Afghanistan through negotiations is in the country's best interests and they should robustly support the process given the approaching deadline and deteriorating situation.
With this release, Islamabad has shown its willingness for a supportive role in the Kabul-led negotiation process, given their strategic interests are recognized. Now both sides need to take further mutual steps to take the breakthrough through a successful process toward desired objectives of mutual interests.
President Zardari during meeting with the HPC delegation said Pakistan would take every possible step to support the peace process noting that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in vital interests of Pakistan's own stability and prosperity.
General Kayani also reiterated similar remarks. Issues of the cross-border incidents were raised, particularly shelling from both sides.
However, there is a long way to go in this process. The Government and HPC needs to work out a more coherent strategy on it and avoid the domestic political agendas of the current administration to make this last chance of any serious progress on the hopes of a negotiated end to the conflict another failure.